The District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has opened registration for the 31st Annual DC Senior Games for seniors 55 and older. Online and in person registration will be available through Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11:59 pm, however early registration is highly recommended. The DC Senior Games (DCSG) are scheduled to take place Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 16, 2014 at various locations throughout the District of Columbia. Participants can register at any recreation center, online or download the application.

There is a $45 registration fee per athlete. The registration fee includes all entrance fees and a t-shirt. If submitting a paper application, all payments are to be made in the form of a personal check, cashier’s check or money order; made payable to "DC Treasurer". If registering online, payment is due at the time of registration via credit card or debit card only.

The DC Senior Games opening ceremony will take place on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 10 am at the legendary Howard Theatre, located at 620 T Street NW. The closing ceremony will take place at the Howard Theatre on Monday, May 19, 2014.

The DC Senior Games is a yearly competition, hosted by DPR and sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) that brings together seniors from across the District of Columbia to participate in athletic activities, while promoting healthy living for a longer, more robust life. Over 80 athletes competed in the 2013 DC Senior Games. Each year, the DC Senior Games features activities like swimming, basketball, bowling, tennis, track and field, horseshoe toss, archery, and softball.

This year, the 31st Annual DC Senior Games will add a new, popular sport - Pickleball. Pickleball is a racket sport in which two to four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a polymer perforated ball over a net. The sport shares features of other racket sports, the dimensions and layout of a Badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis with a few modifications. One of the fastest growing sports in North America, Pickleball was invented in the mid-1960s as a children's backyard pastime but quickly became popular among adults as a game fun for players of all skill levels.

Athletes who participate in the 2014 DC Senior Games may qualify to compete in the National Senior Games, which are held every odd numbered year. In 2013, over 30 seniors represented the District of Columbia at the National Senior Games in Cleveland, OH. The 2015 National Senior Games will be held July 3 – 16, 2015 in Bloomington/Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

Remember the key is to remain active. Senior Citizens are never too old to play with younger people if they remain healthy and active. The Senior Games offer a great service for Senior Citizens to play and compete.

For additional information about the DC Senior Games, including how to volunteer, please call (202) 664-7153.

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Professor Charles Metze II made history in October of 2000 when he became the first American to be appointed Chancellor of an African University. He was forced to give up his dream after his son, Charles Metze III, became sick in Africa and doctors told him his child could die if he did not return to America.With the help of Congressman Spence and the support of the Founder and President, Professor Metze was able to save his son's life and returned him to America. In January of 2001 he was appointed Dean of Students in the District of Columbia and held that position until he was injured in the line of duty breaking up a student altercation between rival gangs. He was a former staff writer for The Columbia Record (SC) before he resigned to earn his Master's Degree in Communication. He served as a customer service expert and consultant to media networks and major retail businesses. He has taught at five universities. Contact Charles at this address.